Newburgh's Murphy banks on boxing for fun

Dressed in a smart suit and stylish tie, it's very believable that Newburgh's Marty Murphy works at an investment bank.

KEN McMILLAN

Dressed in a smart suit and stylish tie, it's very believable that Newburgh's Marty Murphy works at an investment bank.

That's why it's so shocking when he tells people he's an amateur boxer in his spare time.

"I get that all the time,'' said Murphy, 29. "I always get told people would hate to see me in a dark alley. Well, people would be very surprised if they saw me in a dark alley.''

Murphy learned to box while attending school in Buffalo, and four years ago he finally decided to put his training into action. The southpaw has a record of 9-8, having lost his last two bouts in late July — he did earn a bronze medal, though, at the Empire State Games in Buffalo.

His next fight could be Saturday in upstate Cohoes if an opponent is found.

Murphy, who weighs about 130 pounds, trains on weekends with Marty Hirsch at the American Self Defense and Fitness gym in Monroe, and works out during the week in New York City, close to his job in Jersey City.

"It's a dying sport,'' Murphy said. "I like the science of it. It's a very individual sport, and you have to rely on yourself for everything.

"It doesn't teach you as much as you think — it exposes more about yourself than you ever really admitted to yourself. I learned that I am more courageous than I ever thought I could be.''

What has he learned?

"It may sound weird but punches to the head do not hurt as much as they look like,'' Murphy said. "You feel them, yes, but when you are actually hit in the head it's not as scary as you fear when you are growing up. It's dealing with that fear and knowing you can overcome it that inspires all fighters, not just boxers.''

Murphy said he stays in shape constantly on the chance that a boxing match is available. Though nearly 10 years older than most of his competitors, Murphy said he feels "as young and spry as I did at 17 and 18, so I will keep fighting 17-, 18- and 19-year-olds for as long as possible.''